How to Eat Out with the Family and not Spend too Much
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Everybody likes to eat out. The food is good and there are no dishes to wash, so what’s not to like? Generally, when the bill comes it’s hard to let the food digest properly because it is so expensive. An average bill for a family of four dining out for dinner costs close to $50, and that’s at an average restaurant. When you consider entrees cost between $8 and $10 each, drinks are close to $2 each, and if you add in appetizers and desserts then you are looking at a bigger bill. Luckily, there are a few ways to eat out with the family and save some money.
Water
You may love soft drinks, but you don’t have to have one when eating out. Make a rule that when your family dines out everyone orders water. That will save you at least $8 on the total cost of the bill, which is like getting an entrée free! Stop and buy a two liter on the way home for $1.50 if everyone is dying for cola!
Share
Most restaurants serve large portions, especially for kids. Consider letting your kids share an entrée and then a dessert. That way they not only get to eat a meal but also indulge in something sweet. You will save at least $5 doing this and in addition to drinking water you have already knocked $13 off the bill and added a dessert!
Weekdays
Generally, weekdays are more affordable at restaurants because fewer people dine out. Look for specials in your neighborhood where family dinner specials are offered. You might be surprised at the deals you can get when dining out if you just do a little research. As the economy becomes even more sluggish look for even more restaurants to offer mid week specials.
Kids Eat Free
Quite a few restaurants are offering kids eat free deals, especially for those 5 and under. Do a little research and find the restaurants near you that offer free or low cost kid dinners. You might be surprised and this will make dining out more affordable for your family.
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